News about Faculty & Staff

Campus friendships again blossomed at the sunbathed scene of their planting, and parents and siblings – some separated from their loved ones since Welcome Weekend (“only” a month ago) – replenished their stockpile of hugs during Penn College’s Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend (Sept. 24-26). Among the many activities intended to rekindle connections among alumni, students, kith and kin were an Athletics Hall of Fame induction, historic tours of campus and Greater Williamsport; a popular Alumni Golf Outing, a bonfire and live music on the Madigan Library lawn, the Alumni & Friends Tent Party, a wrestling retrospective, breakfast with President Davie Jane Gilmour, a craft brewery get-together, open academic labs, a celebration of plastics, family activities, men’s and women’s soccer matches on UPMC Field, food trucks and games. Oh, never mind, come see for yourselves!

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PCToday continues its regular feature: welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

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PPL Electric Utilities recently offered a Live Line Electrical Safety Exhibit and demonstration for students and first responders at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

PPL, a Corporate Tomorrow Maker partner of the college, takes its mobile electrical safety exhibit across its service territory to teach first responders, contractors, businesses, school students and the public about the dangers of live wires and how to stay safe around them.

The exhibit is a scaled-down 7,200-volt electrical distribution system that features live electrical wires, utility poles and transformers. It was designed in 2016 by representatives from across PPL Electric Utilities’ operations who met in PPL’s Innovation Lab to brainstorm ways to present the information. PPL provides 100 such demonstrations to more than 10,000 people annually.

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How better for students studying global cuisines to learn about cooking with truffles, the “black pearl” of the food world, than from an Italian chef who serves as an ambassador for the product?

Italy is one of the world’s top exporters of truffles. It is also the destination for a new global experience course at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

On Sept. 16, with the help of Audio/Visual Services, students in the Global Cuisine and Connections course connected with Chef Fabrizio Facchini, a brand ambassador for Urbani Truffles. Facchini, executive chef of several properties in New York City, has earned acclaim in both the U.S. and Italy, where his Antico Borgo was recognized in the Michelin Italy Guide.

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A vintage vehicle, winningly refurbished for the Antique Automobile Club of America by three years’ worth of Penn College students, caught the eye of a college employee and her husband as they visited the AACA Museum in Hershey last weekend. “While checking out the exhibitions, we came across a beautiful 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle that was restored by our Penn College students,” said Barbara Adzema after touring the automotive showplace with car buff/spouse Robert (who commented that the work “was meticulously done to perfection,” she reported).
Photos by Barbara A. Adzema, residence life assistant

Whether you’re interested in an associate or bachelor’s degree, or planning to study on main campus or online, a new video provides an overview of the popular programs and options that will prepare you for a rewarding future in accounting. You can even pursue a dual degree, adding a business and finance concentration for even more opportunities. “At Penn College, you’ll hone the communication, teamwork and critical-thinking skills that employers want most,” says lead faculty member Roy A. Fletcher, assistant professor of business administration/banking and finance, your guide through the three-minute rundown. Virtually tour the labs, meet lead faculty, and explore the pathways and possibilities at Penn College – which include assisting taxpayers in preparing and filing their returns, as well as helping to manage an actual investment fund!

A weekend Juneteenth celebration, moved to September to allow participation by more students, provided the campus community with a mix of educational and entertaining activities arranged by Penn College’s Black Student Union. The first-year observance, held amid gorgeous late-summer conditions, kicked off Friday morning with a flag-raising ceremony and ended the following evening with a themed outdoor dance.  Other events included informative presentations and discussions, a movie, and a showcase of products and services.

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PCToday continues its regular feature: welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

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The latest in a free series of informal discussions, focused on respectfully dissecting emotionally charged topics, will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, in Penn’s Inn.

“One of the most important elements of an open society is its capacity for open and honest debate,” said moderator Craig A. Miller, an associate professor of history/political science at Penn College.

“Civic virtue, as the Romans argued, is key to a functioning, robust republic, and this series aims to encourage debate in an environment where all ideas can be explored and discussed.”

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Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour is among the West Liberty University alumni inductees chosen for inclusion on the institution’s Wall of Honor this fall.

Gilmour is one of three 2021 inductees being honored during the Oct. 15 event. The ceremony is part of the Impact of Philanthropy and Wall of Honor Recognition Dinner taking place in the renovated Wall of Honor alcove in the Paul N. Elbin Library. West Liberty is honoring two years’ worth of honorees; the 2020 ceremony, which was to celebrate four inductees, was postponed due to the pandemic.

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Despite a year of continuing challenges, donors to Pennsylvania College of Technology were honored Monday evening for unwavering support that ignited a record-setting year for institutional fundraising.

The combined contributions of steadfast alumni, corporate partners, friends, retirees and colleagues – a milestone $8.3 million during fiscal 2021 – were recognized during an annual ceremony alongside the Penn College Donor Wall, which pays permanent tribute to those whose contributions of gifts, pledges, donations and entrustments of equipment and technology, and estate commitments significantly empower students.

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Juneteenth, declared an annual national holiday this year in commemoration of slavery’s end in America, will be observed Sept. 17-18 at Pennsylvania College of Technology with a series of events highlighting Black history and culture.

Juneteenth honors the June 19, 1865, reading of General Order No. 3, through which the Union army emancipated enslaved African Americans in Texas – the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery.

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Leadership at the Community Arts Center – a wholly owned subsidiary of Pennsylvania College of Technology that merged with the college for administrative purposes in June – is transitioning, beginning Monday, Sept. 13.

Having helped to guide the administrative consolidation of the Arts Center with Penn College, Chuck Still, executive director, is turning over the reins to James R. Dougherty III, who has been employed with the college since 2003, most recently as director of computer and media services.

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Seven student volunteers, along with Shannon L. Skaluba from the Office of Student Engagement, assisted with last weekend’s “Balloonfest, Air Show & So Much More!” event at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in nearby Hughesville. “This festival, hosted by Lycoming County Rotary Clubs, relies on volunteers to plan and run the event,” Skaluba noted. “The group was put to work collecting and selling tickets, handing out programs, and giving directions – all with a smile!” Penn College students are provided with varied opportunities to volunteer within the Greater Williamsport area through “(community) Service Saturday” events, held the second Saturday of the month while classes are in session. Contact the Office of Student Engagement to be added to the “(community) Service Saturday” interest list.
Photos by Skaluba, student organization specialist

Leadership at the Community Arts Center – a wholly owned subsidiary of Pennsylvania College of Technology that merged with the college for administrative purposes in June – is transitioning, beginning Monday, Sept. 13.

Having helped to guide the administrative consolidation of the Arts Center with Penn College, Chuck K. Still, executive director, is turning over the reins to James R. Dougherty III, who has been employed with the college since 2003, most recently as director of computer and media services.

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